A study of planned change, essentially aimed at education, which includes review and analysis of sociological and psychological factors inherent in the change process. Such topics as organizational behavior, intervention theory, inter-group relations, and management techniques, among others, are reviewed. The course schedule includes a series of multi-hour sessions mixing lecture, simulation, problem-solving and discussion of the four major components of the course: Organizations; Planned Change; Strategic Planning; and Managing Change. All topics are considered in the light of the overall objective of changing/improving schools with an eye toward improving the education of children and, consequently, improving their lives.

This course focuses on establishing the rationale and organizational structure that supports effective human resource administration. Among the topics included in this course are staff selection, teacher induction, teacher tenure, promotion and dismissal, salary scheduling, policy making, relations with professional and nonprofessional personnel, and employee welfare. Emphasis is placed on the interpersonal dynamics of the educational enterprise as it relates to human resource management. Additionally, there is an exploration of issues involving, affirmative action and concerns about the under representation of minorities in teaching and administration.

This course is designed to familiarize candidates with a variety of current literature. Candidates will design strategies for utilizing literature in the classroom as a basis for sound language arts instruction and as a means to integrate reading and literature throughout the curriculum and across various content areas.

This course explores a variety of instructional strategies and materials inherent in developing and implementing multi-level, multi-media Math Learning Centers. These centers are applicable to a variety of learning styles and instructional methodologies. We will focus on integration and interdisciplinary criteria as they apply to Math and a variety of curriculum areas. Participants will develop and construct an Interdisciplinary Math Learning Center to be used in their own classrooms. Techniques for effectively incorporating cooperative learning into the implementation of these centers will be presented and explored. We will review how to provide reinforcement for MCAS skills with the use of Learning Centers. Scheduling, testing, assessment and evaluation techniques will be an integral part of the focus of this very practical, exciting K-12 course. Particular emphasis will be in the area of Mathematics with reference to an interdisciplinary approach using Learning Centers.

This course will address storytelling and its relationships in today’s multicultural classroom. The use of oral history projects and the use of folklore in the curriculum are explored. Emphasis will be on promoting storytelling in the classroom. Current theory on the relationship of oral and written language acquisition will be reviewed. Storytelling, self-esteem building, healing and creative conflict resolution techniques for the classroom will be discussed.

This course looks at integration of educational technology in the classroom, and its relationship to learning theories. MAC and IBM computer hardware, and interfaces for classroom inquiry including video and microscope cameras, digital image capture, scanners, and computer projection panels are examined. Students learn similarities between standard software programs available for writing, computation, and data analysis. It includes a survey of software for studies, ranging from Encyclopedias on CD-ROM to programs that are specific to the study of various topics in science, art literature, math, and, language. The class explores the use of the Internet as a classroom resource, the hardware and software necessary to get online, search engines, browsers, URLs, online journals, education web sites, online interest groups, and how to design a web page.

The purpose of this course is to provide the participants with the knowledge, skills and understanding to provide instruction in content in a standards-based learning environment. Participants will conduct a brief review of literature of the essential concepts and skills of a content area(s), design an environment conducive to content learning, align learning experiences with the Massachusetts Frameworks and National Standards, and develop lessons to engage students with the diverse learning abilities in achieving high learning standards. They will also develop appropriate assessment strategies to align with goals of this program. This is a practical and comprehensive course designed to assist the teacher in designing a standards-based classroom. Emphasis will be focused on the Massachusetts State Frameworks. In accordance with our goal, NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND, particular emphasis will be placed on Math and Language Arts. However, the course will cover other content areas to include: Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language and Special Education. Classroom and content area teachers K-12, special educators, and administrators are invited to participate in this institute. Practical, hands-on materials will be developed and shared. Lessons will be aligned with the Massachusetts State Frameworks. Assessment will also be an integral part of lesson development and classroom management in order to help meet educational goals as they apply to achievement in MCAS.

This is a comprehensive course in Cooperative Learning which is designed to provide an in-depth look at a variety of instructional practices and strategies appropriate for effective teaching and learning in the inclusionary and heterogeneous classroom. Theoretical study of Johnson & Johnson, Kagan, Slavin, Kohn, Aaronson and Lanzoni will be included in this course. This course is open to regular and special education teachers as well as administrators. Learning objectives are pertinent for all disciplines including: Math, L.A., Social Studies, Science, Special Education, ESL, Foreign Languages, and Unified Arts. Class projects will align with the requirements of State and National Standards. Participants will research, investigate, and develop strategies according to the above mentioned criteria. This will all result in meaningful products which can be used to improve current classroom instruction.

The Presidential election of 2008 has reinforced the role of the power of words in a democracy. Bloggers hail themselves as the voice that is ‘revolutionizing democracy.’ Editors, television commentators and pundits choose sound bites for their pithy catch phrase quality. Orators and their staff write and deliver messages designed to persuade and inspire. Encompassing the Frameworks of both English and Social Studies, this course will examine the make up of blogs and their role in the new journalism of today, will examine both the process of editorial selection of sound bites and their effects and will examine great speeches of our time in terms of rhetorical device, techniques of persuasion, historical context and impact. Throughout the course we will ask the question, "How does this shape our democracy?

This class, conducted in a combined lecture/seminar format, will examine the tumultuous events which shattered European political unity and cultural and military supremacy in the twentieth century. Such events as the Russian Revolution, the rise of fascism and totalitarianism, the two world wars, the cold war with its struggle between socialist and capitalist ideology and the current economic revitalization represented by European Union will be studied. The class will make use of a mix of print and web-based resources and will involve substantial student involvement in the conduct of Socratic Seminars.

This course will involve the participant in the use of cuisenaire rods, pattern blocks, tangrams, geoboards, color tiles, folding geometric solids, geometric solids, compasses, protractors and base ten materials. Rulers, tape measures, metric stackable weights to investigate area, perimeter of plane figures, volume, surface area of solid geometric figures along with Pick’s Theorem and Pythagoras Theorem. This laboratory approach will also involve the use of one inch dot paper, one inch offset dot paper as well as centimeter dot and offset dot paper. A kit is required and has a cost of $115. This is payable to the instructor at the first class.

Integrating Google Docs into the Classroom is designed for educators who want to learn how to integrate Google Docs (a free, web-based suite of products including word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation application) into the classroom. Educators will increase their ability to use and effectively integrate the suite as a productivity tool and as an integration tool. Participants will gather ideas for integrating additional Web 2.0 tools

Integrating technology into the math curriculum is designed for elementary, middle and high school classroom teachers, lead teachers and curriculum coordinators who want to develop practical and useful integrated lessons and units for their own use or to share with others. This hands on course will develop strategies for teachers to evaluate mathematics software and internet sites and use the best pieces to develop integrated math units for their classroom. Units will be developed in coordination with the Massachusetts State Frameworks for Mathematics and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Principles and Standards for School Mathematics 2000. Participants will share an integrated project that they design and will implement in their own classroom or school setting. Basic computer knowledge is suggested.

This course looks at the integration of handmade books in the classroom and its relationship to learning theories. Hands-on sessions will give participants an opportunity to construct these books for any discipline or grade level. In addition, participants will obtain an insiders view of the children’s book publishing process. Hand-crafted books integrate Framework content and foster critical thinking skills. Participants should have resources for their own content areas on hand in order to produce usable book prototypes.

This course will provide participants with an in-depth look at a variety of standards-based practices and products for effective teaching and learning. Attention will be given to the latest theories of motivation and differentiated instruction. Participants will work at hands-on learning, developing and creating a myriad of activities and instructional games to accommodate a variety of learning styles, and reflect a range of thinking skills.

This course is designed for teachers, principals, and administrators for the purpose of focusing on new knowledge and understanding of how the brain functions in order to improve schooling and learning. The latest information and findings in cognitive neuroscience will be explored for participants to gain insights that will transform thinking about instruction, curriculum, and school environments.